Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12 2026: Check Passing Mark Criteria & Maximum Marks

CBSE 12th 2026 ( CBSE 12th )

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CBSE 12th Compartment Exam 2026

28 Jul '26

Anangsha
Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
Updated on Jun 11, 2026 15:34 IST
CBSE has the provision of awarding grace marks to students under certain circumstances. According to CBSE, the passing marks in Class 12 are 33%. If any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and miss out by one mark or so then the board awards grace marks to students.

Following OSM controversy, students are demanding grace marks in CBSE 12th exam. However, there is no update from the board regarding awarding grace marks. CBSE offers grace marks to students if any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and miss out by one mark or so. Read here for more details on grace marks in CBSE Class 12.

Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12

Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12

CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks: This year Central Board of Secondary Education faced huge backlash due to OSM controversy. Students are demanding grace marks. However, there is no update from board regarding this. The revaluation portal closed recently. After the revaluation result is made available, students can find whether grace marks have been awarded to them or not.

There is provision of awarding grace marks to students under certain circumstances. According to CBSE, the passing marks in Class 12 are 33%. If any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and misses out by one mark or so, then the board awards grace marks to students. This is done so that no student fails due to a small margin. Read below for more details on grace marks in CBSE Class 12.

Table of contents
  • What is Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12?
  • CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy
  • Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12 2026: Check Passing Criteria
  • CBSE Class 12th Grace Marks 2026: How can Apply for Compartment?

What is Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12?

Grace marks in CBSE Class 12 are also considered when questions are excessively difficult, outside the prescribed syllabus, or if the paper is unusually lengthy.

Also Read: CBSE Class 12 Result 2026

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Will CBSE offer grace marks in Class 12 Physics paper 2026?
A: 

The passing marks in CBSE Class 12 are 33%. In case candidates fail to achieve this by one mark, the grace marks are given to students. Students said that the Physics paper was tough and they demand grace marks for this paper. However, there is no update from CBSE regarding this. 

Q:   How many grace marks are given in CBSE Class 12 exam?
A: 

According to CBSE, the passing marks in Class 12 are 33%. If any student is not able to achieve 33% marks and misses out by one mark or so, then the board awards grace marks to students.

Q:   What is CBSE Class 12 grace marks policy?
A: 

Grace marks in CBSE Class 12 is also considered when questions are excessively difficult, outside the prescribed syllabus, or if the paper is unusually lengthy.

Q:   Who can give CBSE Class 12 compartment exam?
A: 

A candidate failing in one of the five subjects of external examination is placed in a compartment in that subject, provided they qualify in all the subjects of internal assessment.

CBSE Class 12 Grace Marks Policy

In Theory and Practice, students are required to secure 33% separately. For eg: If any student secures 32 marks instead of 33, they are given grace marks to pass the exam. This completely depends on the board.  

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Grace Marks in CBSE Class 12 2026: Check Passing Criteria

Candidates will be eligible to get the pass certificate if they get a grade higher than E in all subjects of internal assessment, unless they are exempted. Failing this, the result of the external examination will be withheld but not for a period of more than one year. They need to obtain this grade in all five subjects of external examination in the main or at the compartmental examinations.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the passing marks for CBSE 12th exam?
A: 

To pass the CBSE 12th board exams 2026, students must secure a minimum of 33 per cent in each subject including theory, practicals, and internal assessments. For subjects with practicals, students must pass in both theory and practical separately. Overall students must achieve at least 33 per cent in each subject.

Q:   Does CBSE deduct marks for lengthy answers?
A: 

No, CBSE does not deduct marks for exceeding the word limit in the board exams. However, marks may be deducted for spelling mistakes and other errors in language papers. 

Q:   What entrance exams can I appear for after completing my Class 12 in Arts stream?
A: 

After finishing Class 12 in Arts or Humanities stream, students can appear for many entrance examinations, some of which are mentioned below:

NIFT

NCHMCT JEE

IIMC Entrance Exam

JMI Entrance Exam

XIC- OET

JNUEE

DUET

PUBDET

Q:   Does CBSE provide grace marks in the class 12 exam?
A: 

Yes, CBSE gives grace marks to those students who are unable to clear the exam by a maximum of 3 marks in the exam.

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CBSE Class 12th Grace Marks 2026: How can Apply for Compartment?

Students who fail in one subject out of five are placed under compartment category. They need to clear this by appearing in the compartment exam.

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About the Author
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Anangsha Patra
Deputy Manager – Editorial
Anangsha Patra is MA in Mass Communication & Journalism with more than 10 years of experience in the field of Journalism, Content Writing and Editing. At Shiksha.Com, she works as Deputy Manager-Content for the Sark
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Answered 2 days ago

Yes, with 85% in Class 12 you can get admission to KR Mangalam University without any entrance exam.

A

Akanksha Yadav

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 5 days ago

Yes there is a chance that you can get addmission 

U

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Beginner-Level 1

Answered a week ago

You can join BTech course at Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai if you have passed your Class 12 exams with Science streams. Candidates need to score a minimum of 45% aggregate marks to meet the basic application norms. For reserved category students, the university relaxes this minimum requir

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Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered a week ago

The CBSE 12th answer key photocopy is given on first-cum-first serve basis. You need to apply early to get the answer key.

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Jasleen Harsha

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Rechecking is available in CBSE 12th. After rechecking the marks might increase or decrease.

C

Chanchal Jain

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

The Rajasthan Board announced the RBSE Class 12th result 2026 for Arts, Science, and Commerce streams on March 31, 2026.

M

Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

CBSE 12th result 2026 was declared on May 13, 2026. The link to check scorecard was activated at cbse.gov.in and results.cbse.nic.in

M

Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

The server error is usually temporary due to heavy traffic. You can wait for some time and try again later. You can also use a different browser/device.

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Md Shahzad

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a week ago

It depends on the stream and college. For DU's Science colleges, CUET UG scores decide admission rather than 12th marks directly. For engineering, JEE Main or JEE Advanced ranks are needed along with meeting a minimum Class 12 percentage cutoff. Medical admission always needs a valid NEET UG score,

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Tasbiya Khan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, students can apply for a BDes course while waiting for their class 12th results. They can appear for entrance exams like CUET or UCEED. Enrollment will happen on provisional basis, which means it is on the condition that they pass class 12th with the college desired percentage and all required

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Bhavya Jain

Contributor-Level 8